The Scottish government wants to hear from the country’s unpaid carers on how they can be better supported.
First Minister Alex Salmond told a meeting of carers at Holyrood that a public consultation would take place on the issue before the end of the year.
Legislation is currently being drafted to improve the well-being of carers.
Scotland has about 657,000 unpaid adult carers, up to 100,000 young carers and many who provide care but who do not identify themselves as carers.
The government said it was keen to improve the lot of carers so they could continue their caring duties while remaining in work and having a life of their own.
It also wanted to prevent or delay hospital or residential care admissions for cared-for people.
The 72-year-old from Glasgow, who has looked after her granddaughter for 16 years, said: “If I hadn’t stepped in she would have gone into the system and been pushed from pillar to post.”
She said she believes the work of kinship carers across the country is undervalued and not recognised by the authorities, who would otherwise have to pick up the bill for looking after vulnerable children.
TOMMY Whitelaw is devoted to helping improve the lives of those who care for dementia sufferers through his campaign Dementia Carer Voices.
TOMMY WHITELAW spent five years as a full-time carer to mum Joan as she suffered from dementia.
The 51-year-old, of Glasgow, gave up his job handling merchandise on concert tours to care for her as the progressive disease took its toll.
Initially, he struggled but after getting help he set out to make sure other carers didn’t suffer in silence.
Joan died a year ago, aged 73, but Tommy is still working to improve the lives of other carers.
